Photo Challenge 1 Entry (16Niss)- Hotness
I was invited to participate in a photo challenge on the 16NiSS.com website this week and the theme was "Hotness". Since I've been experimenting with my Hulk action figures and off camera flash, I decided to use them again for this theme as well. I created a composite of the Hulks fighting and also took a long exposure(10 seconds) of one of my stove burners and focus layered to get the most detail in the fire... This was my entry for "HOTNESS"..
Let me know what you guys think..
People Are Naturally Evil.. I Think So At Least…
I was conversing with a friend of mine earlier this week, and he asked me, "Do you think people are naturally evil?" Before even thinking, I told him "Yes." Now before you think I'm saying everyone is a product of Satan or something, or think I'm the largest pessimist there is, hear my logic first..
I start in that proverbial "sandbox" that we all allude to when talking about "blank" or "unbiased" children. Well, in that sandbox, you'll find raw human instinct and emotion, not driven by morals or values or anything else that must be taught.
If I take any 2 children in that sandbox and only have 1 toy between them, you'll see several different things. You'll see anger, possessiveness, might even see violence. By any morals and values that we've been taught, whether religious based or not, aren't those characteristics considered "evil" or not acceptable? If you were an adult in a work environment, and someone came up to you and took your keyboard off your desk, and you slapped the fire out of them, wouldn't you be thought of as "Hey, don't mess with him, that's the evil guy..." We're expected to "know better" right? Well the only reason we know better is because we're TAUGHT to know better, taught to coexist or ignore our natural "human" instincts. I placed quotes around human because there's no such thing in my mind as "human" instincts; that's an oxymoron. Instincts themselves are animalistic in nature. Instincts by definition are:
Instinct -An inborn pattern of behavior that is characteristic of a species and is often a response to specific environmental stimuli
So, by that definition, if we have to be TAUGHT to become good, then instinctually, or naturally, we're evil right? Can't be both.
The things that make us socially acceptible, able to coexist, and separate us as humans, are those morals and values. Or could it be simply fear of the reprecussions if we don't "play nice." If we aren't defined by our morals and values then we're just the same as animals. That's how we treat those social outcasts in our society, we throw them in cages just like animals in the zoo. We like to that we've effectively changed our chemical makeup or something or that we're "above" primative behavior. I personally think those same human emotions from the sandbox are still there, we're just taught to repress them and not act on our instincts. However, if you put any human in an environment where survival becomes the number one priority, impersonating or attuning ourselves to our animal instincts might be the only thing that can save our lives.
So, now that I've had a chance to think about the answer, "YES, I STILL think people are naturally "evil/animal", I just think we "play nice" so we're not socially repugnant."
What do you think?
What Were You Thinking ?!?!? #6 (Billy Ray Cyrus & Miley Cyrus’s Little Sister, Noah)
THANK GOD I DON'T HAVE GIRLS!!! I have thanked the heavens daily that I don't have female offspring. Not that I dislike them, but I would not be a proper father for them because I'd be WAY to close minded and overprotective to where I'd always be criticized for my fathering style. The following article is but more ammunition for why I'd act the way that I would if I had daughters..
Miley Cyrus's little sister is going to begin a LINGERIE line for GIRLS!!! No.. I don't mean designing them for adult women.. I mean for GIRLS.. And no.. This is not Miley's older sister trying to benefit from her sister's fame. This is her 9 YEAR OLD YOUNGER SISTER. Billy Ray, WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!
Enough with my ranting, here's evidence..
I'm sorry, but is that a POLE? Goodness.. Someone please tell me I'm either not the only one that sees something wrong w/ me, or attempt to persuade me that this will not cause lasting damage in the future for this child. I think we as parents have to have enforce some kind of level of protection of our children from themselves. I agree that we should support our children in their adventures and ideas, but sometimes you have to remember, "they're only kids." This is a perfect example of LACK of parenting and the inability to say NO.
I'm praying that my blog isn't taken down because I half way feel like I'm posting child porn. This is rediculous.
Johnston Blackhorse – Drawing Under the Influence
Rarely do I come across people that are so engulfed in their craft that they inspire me to do something with myself. I "met" such a person today.. This guy is awesome at what he does.
Background info:
I'm working on a couple websites right now and I've been watching some flash and photoshop tutorials. I was watching a photoshop tutorial and it mentioned a site called deviant art. I went there looking for some inspriation and just to see what the site was all about. It's somewhat a portfolio/social site for graphic artists of all types (photographers, digital artists, animators, free hand artists, etc) I came across Blackhorse's profile page and saw some of his amazing art in his gallery. I quickly messaged him on yahoo and we chatted for a while before he went to get "inspired" for his next comic (I hope).. He's an animator out of Las Vegas, NV, for Global Gaming Group, but does a lot of drawing in his spare time as well. Engulfed in his craft, like I said..
Here's an example of some of his work, for work.. The Germ Terminator, Just Add Water Movie
Here are some of his Random Sketches just to practice his craft..
What I really want to share is his amazing comics that he's drawn for his blog, "Drawing Under the Influence.. I started at the most recent post and found myself engulfed w/ his bio comics. I read every single one of them. They're expertly drawn from a comic perspective of his daily interractions with people in his real life experiences.
I hope you take a few minutes (hours in my case) to go through his work and laugh as much as I did.. Good to know I'm not the only one experiencing some of these things.. He just has to guts to put them on paper.
I'll definitely be adding him to my links section.. REALLY makes me want to crack open my sketch book again..
Checklist For Purchasing A Lens
I've been asked the question "What do you check for when buying a lens?" or "Is this a good lens?" more than once, and the question came up again today when a friend was buying a used lens.. So, I thought I'd share what I check for when buying a lens, new or old. Of course some of the items on the list are for zoom lenses only, but most can be attributed to lenses in general, zoom or prime.
1. Bring your camera body with you so that you can test the focus of the lens.
2. Inspect for dust and scratches on the lens surface and body. Chips and knicks aren't good especially if you plan to sell the lens as well one day. And of course you don't want dust and scratches in your shots, that will just increase post production time later.
3. Check for fungus or debris on the ring edges of the lens. Lens fungs is a BAD thing, you don't want to deal with that. I wouldn't advise buying a fungus infected lens regardless of the price. It only gets worse. Check out the length one photographer goes to avoid fungus.
4. Shake the lens, to make sure there are no loose elements, you should hear NO rattles (if you do, the lens has most likely been dropped or the person has used the lens a LOT zooming in and out) The damage done is normally the lens won't shoot as pin point as it did when it was newer because one of the elements isn't perfectly aligned anymore and the light isn't directed properly.
5. Check for loose switches as well.
6. Make sure the zoom ring and focus ring move smoothly throughout the focal length, and there are no areas where it "catches" or is hard to turn.
7. Hold the lens straight up, zoom at various focal lengths and ensure the weight of the lens doesn't close the lens back down a lot (this is called zoom creep, in cheaper lenses, this is common and unavoidable, it's just the build quality you get with cheaper lenses.) You can also do this holding the lens straight down. Open it slightly, and see if gravity opens the lens all the way or if it stays at the focal length you opened it to.
Then put the lens on your camera:
8. Check for is back focus or front focus issues.
(You'll have to use your LCD on the back of your camera for this)
Focus on something and then check the results in the LCD. If the lens focuses on the thing you expected it to, you're good. If it focuses on something in the foreground, you have front focus issues, if on something in the rear, back focus issues.
9. Focus on something far away and see how fast the lens autofocuses, then do the same for something close up. Do this at the short and long ends of the lens and ensure it's to your liking. In some photography, such as sports, you'll want a fast autofocus, and if the lens isn't quick, you could potentially lose a lot of shots. Also listen to the sound of the focus motor, is it too loud? You don't want to be obtrusive if shooting at a wedding with a loud focus motor.
10. Then I'd shoot at F4 to see how sharp the image is (that's normally the sweet spot for most lenses) It should be pretty sharp all the way to the edges
BONUS TIP: Ask for the box, and any warranty cards for the lens. Ask if there was a lens hood and make sure you get both lens caps (front and rear).
Hopefully this list will come in handy for you.. These are the things that I check for when I'm purchasing a lens. Don't let a slightly used lens scare you. You can easily determine if a lens is "LNIB" (Like New In Box) or "slightly used" as advertised by following this simple checklist. Don't be naive and think a new lens is perfect either.. Sometimes lenses can come defective from the factory, so don't be bashful, use this list on new lenses as well..
HULK SMASH!!!
I've been reading up on several photography techniques and one that caught my attention was "multiplicities".. The idea behind this technique is where you NORMALLY shoot the same subject multiple times, and in most cases interracting with eachother.. Here's are a couple of my favorites..
This is a fun technique but you can definitely tell it's manipulated.. The way this is done, is with the camera on a tripod so the background doesn't change and taking multiple images of your subject in different places then layering those images in a post production program like Photoshop and masking in the multiple subjects to create one composite image.
I, however, being one to normally test boundaries decided to try this technique but apply it more practically. Although I see the "fun" use of it shooting multiple exposures of yourself and then masking them into the same image, I wanted to DO something with this technique but still have "fun".. So I came up with this:
Canon 7D
Tamron 28-75mm
Canon 430EX II and onboard flash (4:1, 430ex at 1/16th power)
f18
iso 640
1/200
Now you know I can't stop there.. I now have the idea of making a "fight scene" between the Red and Green Hulk and trying to create an animated gif out of it.. We'll see what happens..
What Were You Thinking ?!?! #5 (NBA Administration)
OK.. I understand and actually agree with the suspension placed on Arenas and Crittenton. However, I DO NOT think the rest of the NBA players, nor sponsors, should be held in contempt for two individuals that did not utilize proper judgement.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are featured in a new Nike Ad. In which they are describing their passion and dedication to winning and the game. Kobe's quote says,
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win games. I don’t leave anything in the chamber.”
OH NO... HE SAID "CHAMBER"... A Chamber relates to guns.. You do the math. So are we not allowed to say, he "shot" the ball anymore? The NBA is going at Nike now saying,
“We had no prior notice of this ad,” spokesman Tim Frank said. “We think it is inappropriate.”
Are you serious? You've already punished the people for the crime, now you're holding everyone else liable to enforce sensitivity to the situation?
If you really want to get down to it, why don't you just ban alcohol? That's normally a precursor or an aid in voilence isn't it? Since we're being "sensitive" to the situation. Allusions to guns throught marketing, as long as I've been alive, have never caused a violent crime, but someone getting too drunk definitely have.
From my understanding, teams can't even play card games on the airplane anymore. They're actually regulating what GROWN MEN can do during trips now? First the dress code, now no "go fish"? Come on..
Here's the original article for you to determine your own point of view..
Kobe-LeBron Nike ad features gun language
What were you doing at 9?
I read this story and it truly touched my heart. I can't remember anything but good times in my life at 9. That was the first time I went to Disney World, I was in the 3rd grade, had a lot of friends, life was grand. So when I read that a 9 year old hung themselves in the bathroom at school, I couldn't even think what would drive a child to do this. I can't imagine what will go through the minds of these parents. I know they will dissect every second that they spent trying to identify signs that this might be about to occur. But it will still be too late.
9 year old boy hangs self in bathroom
What is going on people? I don't understand. There were things that I didn't even know EXISTED when I was 9. Are we so desensitized and surrounded by violence now that kids know of ways to take themselves out if they want to? I think the most violent thing I watched at 9 was Tom and Jerry. I get nervous when my 2 boys (5 and 4) run around the house talking about "blasting and light sabres" from lego star wars. They get rambunctious enough with just that. I couldn't imagine letting them see the real thing with people getting their hands sliced off, sons killing fathers, mentally choking the life out of people, etc. Even the GI Joe movie and Transformers were too adult for kids to watch, but daily my son comes home from school asking if he can watch it because his little friends were playing it, or discussing it on the playground and he feels left out.
You can control only so much in your own home. What happens when you let your children go out into the world and the others that surround them teach them of these "worldly things?" Daily, my oldest child comes home with questions about things that we'd prefer him not know about. But to not answer those questions is like sending him to war without "weapons", so you must prepare them. I'd rather him learn the truth from me, so that I can introduce him to certain topics and ideas properly and accurately, than another child brutally take his innocence away from him by giving him misinformation.
I think as parents that we need to be more involved with our children. I mean truly involved. We always like to blame what we do during our days (work) with why we don't have time to do things. But we're to the point now to where our children are coming up in a very "adult-oriented" world. Children are experimenting with sex younger and younger, and children are also learning of violence at a younger age. A lot of children aren't able to handle the world we live in, they can't separate fact and fiction. If violence is all they're surrounded with, they can't foster any hope or positivity. They think all of the world is evil and it will only get worse. They're not allowed to stay innocent children anymore, so for their own sake, TEACH THEM!! They're being stripped of their childhoods by being introduced to the "world" too soon. Do you know what your child did today at school? Ask them about their day, who their friends are, what they like to do. BE INVOLVED!!!
When I went to Jr. High, I had it pretty rough due to my weight and I was considered "nerdy." I got picked on daily.. That was a very rough time for me. Every kid, I'm sure, has a story of a rough period they had to endure going through their scholastic careers. If not, they were probably the ones picking on kids like me. How those that are picked on deal with it normally has to do with the support system they have, or the relationship they have with those that they can trust enough to come to. So many of us assume that we know our kids, but there's so much that goes on throughout the day that they either don't tell or would rather forget. Protect your children, give them knowlege, nurture them for as long as you can.
Then there's the kids that are doing things they know are wrong, but fear rebelling against their peers for fear of being picked on as well. The "If you can't beat'em join'em mentality". That's just as bad. Kids will end up doing something that could potentially shape the rest of their lives. Give them an avenue to escape. Show them an alternative. Let them know you're there to protect them. SHOW SOME INTEREST IN YOUR CHILD!!!
A conversation could save your child's life.
Experience Haiti – Help Haiti
For those of us that have been under a rock, or don't watch the news, on January 12, a series of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 6.5 to 7.3 devastated Haiti. Hundreds of Thousands of people were displaced, killed and affected by these earthquakes. This is ranked as one of the worst natural disasters of all time.
Not all of us have the luxury of actually going to Haiti to lend a helping hand to those that suffered loss due to the Earthquake.. But technology allows us to see see the destruction caused by this natural disaster..
Visit Haiti 360 - Driving down the street
Use your mouse to pause and unpause the action and then you can look in a 360 degree view of the devastation that hit Haiti. You can see buildings still stand, and other buildings that are just leveled right next to them.. Notice all of the people that are displaced walking on the sides of the roads. This was shot in Port-Au-Prince on Jan 18th..
Visit Haiti 360 - Walking Among the People
This gives you a closer look of what is happening to those families that are displaced due to this tragedy. Imagine being removed from your home one day, and being driven to living on the street in a plastic covered tent. That plastic being the only thing that separates you from the elements. And as you can see, the ones with even that plastic are rare, most people are just laying on the ground without even that.
Visit Haiti 360 - Highly Affected Area
The last stop on the trip is a highly affected region of Port-Au-Prince. You can get up close and personal with the visuals of this catastrophic event. Can you imagine having nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, the very earth beneath your feet quivering? I don't even think our imaginations can place us or even conceive of what these people had to go through and are still going through. To lose so many loved ones and still have hope, or HAVE to remain positive just to be able to make it from day to day.
My heart goes out to each and every person affected by this tragedy and hopefuly these visuals will promote someone to send more aid their way. Remember, just because it's not on the nightly news doesn't mean that the situation is over. Reconstruction will take a LONG time for this area. They are still rebuilding Louisiana from Katrina. Please continue helping. If you're looking for a cause to devote yourself to, this would be an excellent one. Get intimate with the situation. DO SOMETHING!!!
Just imagine if people didn't help, this kid who was saved after 8 days, would have never seen the light of day again. This is probably the most famous image of this disaster thus far, but there are still so many that need to be saved.
Red Cross - Haiti Relief and Development
Wyclef - Yele Haiti
If there are other links that you guys know of, please feel free to add them to your comments.. The more avenues of aid the better..
A cockpit. An engine. Two wings
After watching this, I don't know whether to believe it, or cry.. This was simply amazing. I loved the cinematography, the anticipation of what was going to happen, how they let you not really know what was going on till the very end, EVERYTHING.. THIS is a commercial. Simply Amazing.
Just watch and you'll understand why I haven't gotten a grasp of reality enough to write properly.
A cockpit. An engine. Two wings